Airbag module

Abstract

An airbag module has a module housing that has an airbag deployment opening with a predetermined opening dimension. An airbag is arranged folded in the module housing, the airbag having a first wall and a second wall situated opposite from the first wall. At least one holding means is arranged in the airbag. The at least one holding means is arranged in the unfolded airbag in the region of the airbag deployment opening and is attached on the airbag but not attached to the module housing. The holding means joins the first and second walls in the region of the airbag deployment opening and limits a distance between the walls in the region of the airbag deployment opening.

1. An airbag module comprising:
 a module housing ( 16 ) having an airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) with a predetermined opening dimension (M) measured between opposing side walls ( 24 ) of the housing ( 16 ), 
 an airbag ( 18 ) that is arranged folded in the module housing ( 16 ), said airbag having a first wall ( 30 ) and a second wall ( 32 ) situated opposite from the first wall, and 
 at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) arranged in the airbag ( 18 ), 
 the at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) being arranged in the unfolded airbag ( 18 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and being attached on the airbag ( 18 ) but not attached to the module housing ( 16 ), the holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) joining the first and second walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and limiting a distance (d) between the walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) to the predetermined opening dimension (M) at the maximum. 
 
     
     
       2. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the walls ( 30 ,  32 ) are at a distance (d) from each other in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) that is less than the predetermined opening dimension (M). 
     
     
       3. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the length (I) of the holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) is shorter than the predetermined opening dimension (M). 
     
     
       4. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding means ( 34 ) is a tether strap. 
     
     
       5. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding means ( 234 ) is a dart in the airbag ( 18 ). 
     
     
       6. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) extends essentially along the entire length of the opposite walls ( 30 ,  32 ). 
     
     
       7. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein several holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) are provided. 
     
     
       8. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the airbag ( 18 ) extends to the base of the module housing ( 16 ). 
     
     
       9. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the airbag ( 18 ) is attached to the module housing ( 16 ) via a gas generator ( 20 ). 
     
     
       10. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the module housing ( 16 ) is essentially trough-shaped. 
     
     
       11. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) is elongated. 
     
     
       12. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined opening dimension (M) matches a length of a narrow side ( 26 ) of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ). 
     
     
       13. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the airbag module ( 10 ) is a knee-protection airbag module. 
     
     
       14. The airbag module according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined opening dimension (M) matches a height of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ). 
     
     
       15. An airbag module comprising:
 a module housing ( 16 ) having an airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) with a predetermined opening dimension (M) measured between opposing side walls ( 24 ) of the housing ( 16 ), 
 an airbag ( 18 ) that is arranged folded in the module housing ( 16 ), said airbag having a first wall ( 30 ) and a second wall ( 32 ) situated opposite from the first wall, and 
 at least one holding means ( 34 ) being a tether strap arranged in the airbag ( 18 ), 
 the at least one holding means ( 34 ) being arranged in the unfolded airbag ( 18 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and being attached on the airbag ( 18 ) but not attached to the module housing ( 16 ), the holding means ( 34 ) joining the first and second walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and limiting a distance (d) between the walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) to the predetermined opening dimension (M) at the maximum. 
 
     
     
       16. An airbag module comprising:
 a module housing ( 16 ) having two opposite side walls ( 24 ) and an airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) with a predetermined opening dimension (M) substantially equal to the distance between the side walls ( 24 ), 
 an airbag ( 18 ) that is arranged folded in the module housing ( 16 ), said airbag having a first wall ( 30 ) and a second wall ( 32 ) situated opposite from the first wall, and 
 at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) arranged in the airbag ( 18 ), 
 the at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) being arranged in the unfolded airbag ( 18 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and being attached on the airbag ( 18 ) but not attached to the module housing ( 16 ), the holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) joining the first and second walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and limiting a distance (d) between the walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) to the predetermined opening dimension (M) at the maximum, 
 the holding means ( 34 ,  234 ) extending essentially along the entire length of the opposite side walls ( 24 ). 
 
     
     
       17. An airbag module comprising:
 a module housing ( 16 ) having two opposite side walls ( 24 ) followed by two adjacent narrow sides ( 26 ) and an airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) with a predetermined opening dimension (M) substantially equal to the length of said narrow sides ( 26 ), 
 an airbag ( 18 ) that is arranged folded in the module housing ( 16 ), said airbag having a first wall ( 30 ) and a second wall ( 32 ) situated opposite from the first wall, and 
 at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) arranged in the airbag ( 18 ), 
 the at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) being arranged in the unfolded airbag ( 18 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and essentially in the middle between the narrow sides ( 26 ) and being attached on the airbag ( 18 ) but not attached to the module housing ( 16 ), the holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) joining the first and second walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and limiting a distance (d) between the walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) to the predetermined opening dimension (M) at the maximum. 
 
     
     
       18. An airbag module comprising:
 a module housing ( 16 ) having an airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) with a predetermined opening dimension (M) measured between opposing side walls ( 24 ) of the housing ( 16 ), 
 an airbag ( 18 ) that is arranged folded in the module housing ( 16 ), said airbag having a first wall ( 30 ) and a second wall ( 32 ) situated opposite from the first wall, and 
 at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) arranged in the airbag ( 18 ), 
 the at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) being arranged in the unfolded airbag ( 18 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ), 
 the length (I) of the holding means ( 34 ,  234 ) parallel to the predetermined opening dimension (M) being slightly shorter or, at the maximum, as long as the size of the predetermined opening dimension (M), 
 the at least one holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) being attached on the airbag ( 18 ) but not attached to the module housing ( 16 ), the holding means ( 34 ;  234 ) joining the first and second walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) and limiting a distance (d) between the walls ( 30 ,  32 ) in the region of the airbag deployment opening ( 28 ) to the predetermined opening dimension (M) at the maximum.